Consumer rights explained: I buy knitting kits from China. Will I have to pay €3 in custom charges for each ball of wool?

Q: I often buy knitting and crochet kits from China. These parcels contain numbers of balls of wool.  I've heard about the new €3 charge for parcels arriving from outside the EU. Will I be charged per ball of wool, which could be very expensive or because it’s a kit to make one item will it be just one charge of €3?

Rachel, Meath

You're not the only shopper asking this question. Since the new customs rules came into effect on 1 July, many people have been wondering exactly how the new €3 customs charge is calculated.

The good news is that you won't automatically pay €3 for every ball of wool. The charge applies to each unique product type in a parcel valued at €150 or less arriving from outside the EU (including Great Britain). If you're buying a knitting or crochet kit that is packaged and sold as a single kit, it is likely to be treated as one item and therefore incur a single €3 customs charge. However, if your order also includes additional balls of wool outside the kit, or other separate items such as stitching needles or a pattern book, these could attract additional €3 charges.

Before placing an order, check where your goods are being dispatched from. Some retailers have Irish or European websites but ship from warehouses outside the EU. If your order is dispatched from an EU warehouse, these customs charges won't apply.

Before you buy, also check how the retailer collects the customs charge. Many large international retailers collect the charge at checkout, so you'll see the full cost before you pay. However, some smaller retailers from outside the EU may leave the charge to the delivery company. In those cases, An Post or the courier will usually contact you to pay the customs charge, along with any administration fee, before your parcel is delivered. Knowing this in advance can help you avoid unexpected costs.

Finally, be cautious of scam texts or emails claiming you owe customs charges. As a general rule, Revenue will not text you demanding payment. If charges are payable, they are normally collected through An Post or the courier.

Give yourself the time to slow down and think it through for these new customs charges: check where your parcel is coming from, how any customs charges will be collected and what additional fees may apply. This can help you avoid unexpected costs and decide whether an online bargain is really the best value.